This Is the Best Color To Wear When You’re Swimming

Summer is here and families all over are gearing up for fun-filled travels, with many heading straight to the beach or pool. But here’s a splash of news you might not know: millions of kids are at risk because of their swimwear.

Yep, you read that right. A recent study found that 66% of children wear blue, white, or grey swimming costumes. If they get into trouble in the water, spotting them can be really tough. And guess what? Blue is the most popular swimwear color for kids.

It gets scarier. The study also revealed that 90% of parents had no clue about the dangers of these swimwear colors.

But now, there’s a big push to change that. On The Beach, a package holiday company, teamed up with Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington to launch an online petition. They want the government to rethink the rules around selling blue, white, and grey swimwear for kids.

Rebecca, who’s been swimming all her life, was shocked to learn about this risk only recently. "I’ve swam my entire life and I’ve only recently become aware that there are certain colors that can’t be seen underwater. As a parent, I feel like I should have been aware of this sooner," she said.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is also backing this campaign. (Americans should also pay attention.)

They all want retailers to stop selling swimwear that’s hard to see when kids are swimming underwater. They believe this simple change could help keep kids safer.

So, why are these colors so tricky to spot in the water?

Color expert Lee Chambers told Metro Newspaper in the UK that it’s all about light.:

“Water interacts differently with certain wavelengths of light,” Lee said. “Colors like blue, white, and grey don’t reflect light well underwater, making them hard to see.”

Want to keep your kids safe? Choose swimwear in colors that stand out underwater. Here’s a handy list:

These colors reflect light better and offer more contrast, making it easier to spot your little swimmers. So, next time you shop for swimwear, go for the bright, bold hues. Your kids’ safety could depend on it.